Improvement in convertible chairs



H. H. HAM.

Convertible Ehair.

Patented June 15, 1875.

mums THE GRAPHIC CO.PHO TO -LITH.39&4I PARK PLACLN- PATENT OEEIc HERBERT H. HAM,

OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT lN CONVERTIBLE CHAIRS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 164,370., dated June 15, 1875; application filed April 24, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known ,that I, HERBERT H. HAM, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Convertible Chairs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings making part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved chair with double folding bottom. Fig. 2 represents the bottom unfolded, forming a portable bench or stand; and Fig. 3 is a viewof the under side of the chair-bottom when so unfolded.

In all of the drawings similar parts are represented by the same letters.

My invention has for its object to provide a chair which shall serve the double purpose of a portable chair and bench or stand; and consists of certain combinations and arrangements of parts, hereinafter described and explained.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the manner in which I have carried it out.

In all of the said drawings, A a: are, respectively, the bottom and legs of a common chair, constructed in the ordinary manner.

7 Upon this bottom, and secured to its front edge by hinges or other suitable fastenings, rests a second bottom, B, uniform in outline and dimensions with bottom A. Near the back and side edges of B are two upright posts or standards, I), which, with suitable cross-bars 0, form the back of the chair, and are secured to the bottom B in the ordinary manner. These posts or standards 0 also serve as legs for the bottom B when it is unfolded, as shown in Fig. 2.

In order to give the back edge of bottom B a sufficiently firm support when unfolded, and serving as the top of the bench or stand, Fig. 2, on the under side of bottom A, near its back edge, are small movable arms, (I, Fig. 3, revolving upon screws, or other suitable fixed pivots, by which they are secured to the bottom A.

These movable arms may be projected or withdrawn beyond the outer edge of bottom A at pleasure, and according as the combination is desired to be used as a chair or bench.

In order to provide still more available bench or stand surface when the bottoms are unfolded in the manner described, a sliding table, 0, with a movable hinged leg, e, to support it when in use, is secured to the bottom 'A by cleats or other suitable means, as shown in. Fig. 3, from which it may be extended at pleasure. When not in use the hinged leg 0 is secured to the under side of G by a small hook or other suitable eontriwance. (Not shown.)

The bottoms A and B, when the combination is used as a chair, are secured to each other at the back side, and prevented from unfolding in the same manner.

When a greater amount of support is required for the sliding table 0, two hinged legs may be substituted in place of that already described.

As will readily be seen the combination and arrangement of parts described enable me to provide in a very compact form, and at a slightly increased cost over that of an ordinary chair or stand, what will serve in the kitchen at pleasure as a chair or wash-bench or stand.

My invention will also be of great value in the seating of public halls and churches, as by its use a large number of extra seats can be provided with a great diminution of the amount of labor and expense involved in providing extra chairs.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v In the construction of a chair, the bottom A and supporting-legs a, with its sliding table O and arms 6, in combination with a folding bottom, 13, resting upon it, and secured to it by hinges or other suitable contrivance, and provided with upright posts I), which, with suitable cross-bars, enable the device to be used at pleasure as a chair or a bench, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

HERBERT H. HAM. Witnesses:

SAML. T. HARRIS,

O. P. WESTON. 

